diff --git a/shave-libtool.in b/shave-libtool.in
index f19a69e20..488c657e9 100644
--- a/shave-libtool.in
+++ b/shave-libtool.in
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ esac
 lt_unmangle "$lt_output"
 output=$last_result
 
-if test -z $V; then
+if test -z "$V"; then
     if test $pass_though -eq 0; then
         echo "$Q$output"
     fi
diff --git a/shave.in b/shave.in
index 809d606af..397b0769f 100644
--- a/shave.in
+++ b/shave.in
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ esac
 lt_unmangle "$lt_output"
 output=$last_result
 
-if test -z $V; then
+if test -z "$V"; then
     if test $pass_through -eq 0; then
         echo "$Q$output"
     fi